Hall of Fame Major League Pitcher. As a high school baseball player in his hometown of Huntersville, North Carolina he began experimenting with the knuckleball, which became his trademark pitch. After graduation, he spent a year in the minor leagues before being called to serve in WWII where he was awarded the Purple Heart. He returned to the United States and pitched in the minor leagues for another six seasons. In 1952, at the age of twenty-eight made his major league debut for the New York Giants. During his rookie season he hit his only home run in his first major league at bat, set a then, National League record for appearances (71) and led the league in Era (2.43), winning percentage (.833) and wins in relief (15). From that start he had a remarkable twenty-one year career that included stints not only with the New York Giants but with the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Cardinals, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, California Angels, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles Dodgers. While pitching for the White Sox he pitched a no–hitter against the New York Yankees. When he retired in 1972 he held Major League records for appearances (1,070), relief wins (124), games pitched in relief (1,018), games finished by a pitcher (651), and innings pitched in relief (1,870). He was the first pitcher to acquire 200 saves and is among the leaders in saves with 227. He was elected to the baseball hall of fame in 1985. (bio by: Bigwoo)